Malanjum is first East Malaysian to be Chief Justice

KOTA KINABALU: The appointment of Tan Sri Richard Malanjum as the ninth Chief Justice of Malaysia is hailed as the honouring of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

The move to appoint the 65-year-old Kadazandusun, the first Sabahan for the post, is being welcomed by many political and non-governmental organisations and individuals in the state.

Sabah deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Madius Tangau, who is also Parti Upko president, said the appointment reflected that Sabah and Sarawak were equal partners in the federation.

“Under this new government, we are beginning to see the Malaysian Agreement 1963 not only being honoured and respected but also being implemented,” he said.

Tangau said Sabahans were starting to feel that they are now truly regarded as Malaysians, an equal partner in the federation.

“On behalf of Upko and all Sabahans in general, I wish to congratulate Malanjum on his appointment as the new Chief Justice of Malaysia, Tangau said.

“We wish him well and the wisdom to strive in this position of judicial leadership, he added.

Another deputy chief minister Christina Liew said Malanjum was qualified and known to have initiated many programmes for the judiciary in Sabah and Sarawak including setting up mobile courts in Sabah.

“I am glad, he is the right person and it is time that an East Malaysian heads the appointment as Chief Justice of Malaysia,” she said.

The Sabah Law Society (SLS) said that his appointment was a timely recognition of the sterling calibre that he possesses as a judge.

It is also testament to the breadth and depth of his judicial experience, said SLS president Brenndon Keith Soh.

“He was a private practitioner in Sabah before being elevated to the Bench in 1993.

“He will have the opportunity to create a positive and lasting impact in the Malaysian justice system, promote the cause of justice, uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of the public,” Soh said.